I. Public Opinion Analysis, also known as Orientation Analysis, Opinion Analysis or survey statistics, refers to the use of technical methods to understand people’s views on a certain event or matter.

II. With the support of user-generated content functions in various Internet applications, especially the rise of information publishing platforms such as social media, blogs and Weibo, channels for individuals to express their opinions have become increasingly smooth and convenient.

More importantly, information flow is no longer one-way. Therefore, actively collecting information from the Internet and analyzing users’ opinions through data mining or natural language processing has become a very important and direct method of current public opinion analysis, namely “Online Public Opinion Analysis”. Based on data, online public opinion analysis tracks the origin and evolution of online public opinion, ultimately aiming to provide suggestive results. It has gradually become a necessary foundation for public opinion response for governments, enterprises and even individuals.

III. Online public opinion analysis focuses on two key tasks: first, to restore the development process of public opinion and identify the root causes; second, to predict and analyze the future trend of online public opinion, and then propose solutions based on the prediction results.

IV. Tools:

(1) Manual retrieval: using open tools such as commercial search engines for real-time monitoring. If public opinion analysts can build a targeted news database and opinion leader database through daily accumulation, the efficiency of manual retrieval results will be greatly improved.

(2) Professional online public opinion monitoring software, which can realize all-round information collection across screens, databases, regions and media.

Fiscal Public Opinion Analysis and Response: How Should the Government View Online Public Opinion and What Measures Should Be Taken to Improve Response Capacity – Baidu Zhidao

I. How the Government Should View Online Public Opinion:

According to Lusi Software, with the rapid development of the Internet, online public opinion has become an extremely important factor affecting the sustainable and orderly development of society and maintaining social harmony and stability. Governments at all levels should strengthen public opinion monitoring, grasp public opinion dynamics in a timely manner, conduct in-depth analysis of public opinion information, form valuable public opinion reports, and actively guide public opinion to create a healthy public opinion environment.

Only by conducting good public opinion monitoring can the government detect negative public opinion information in time and activate response measures or emergency plans. Forums, communities, blogs and Tieba provide platforms for netizens to express their views. Without effective monitoring, sudden public opinion may spread on a large scale. Especially some negative remarks can seriously harm social harmony, damage the public environment and undermine the prestige of leaders. Such information needs to be detected and properly handled as soon as possible. In addition, public opinion monitoring helps the government timely understand public opinions on incidents, figures or departments, discover information hard to obtain through official channels, and assist in making correct decisions.

II. How to Improve the Government’s Public Opinion Response Capacity:

1. “If you know yourself and your enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without defeat.” Leaders must understand the Internet, which is the foundation of proper response.

First, strengthen learning. Master basic Internet knowledge and skills in applying Internet technology.
Second, understand public opinion. Be able to interpret public opinion and grasp the basic meaning of online language. Make basic judgments on the nature of public opinion and distinguish general public opinion, online mass incidents and false information. Understand the laws of public opinion development, its carriers and specific backgrounds.
Third, master basic skills in getting along with online media. Think carefully before expressing directional views; do not make immature or unreasonable remarks.

2. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Although public opinion arises and spreads online, its root lies in real life. Therefore, properly handling public opinion and improving daily work is a key link. First, leaders should improve their own quality.

Have a basic judgment of the times, accurately understand and implement the spirit of superiors; do not say or do anything contrary to national spirit, development trends and superior requirements. Be proficient in the work under charge and avoid unprofessional remarks. Always keep in mind the identity as a leading cadre and refrain from inappropriate words. Bear in mind the Party’s purpose of serving the people and avoid remarks against the Party’s basic policies and beliefs. Constantly listen to and absorb public opinions, respect public sentiment, and avoid “shocking” remarks.

Second, innovate the government news mechanism. This includes improving the spokesperson system to block channels for rumors; establishing and improving a spokesperson system for online media to regularly answer questions of public concern; strengthening communication with netizens through online interviews and chats to take the initiative in explaining issues; enhancing government online platforms, setting topics and guiding netizens proactively.
Fifth, strengthen the response to online information.

Third, do a good job in information disclosure. Take the initiative to release hot topics of public concern and the results of decisions involving public interests, with sufficient explanations.

Fourth, improve the online public opinion supervision mechanism. Understand, judge and respond to general public opinion. Pay special attention to the monitoring of online mass incidents, with plans, responses and measures in place.

3. “Counter troops with generals and water with earth.” Pay attention to methods in handling public opinion; proper measures can achieve expected effects. Specifically, adhere to four principles:
Adhere to the principle of first-time response. For public opinion, especially online mass incidents, understand and handle it at the first time without delay.

Adhere to the principle of openness. The Internet plays an increasingly significant role in conveying public opinion, expressing demands, guiding public opinion and participating in politics.

The Internet has become the most intuitive, convenient, interactive and smooth platform for netizens as part of the general public to participate in politics. Netizens should be allowed to speak fully, which is both a government function and a responsibility.
Adhere to the principle of inclusiveness. For reasonable suggestions and opinions, absorb them in a targeted manner. For those that cannot be realized or absorbed temporarily, give full and reasonable explanations, clarify why they are not adopted, under what conditions and how long it will take to adopt them, as well as measures already or to be taken.
Adhere to the principle of handling in accordance with the law.

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